Bozell Calls out Elitist Media for Ignoring the ‘Defining Issue of the Trump Era’

The Media Research Center's critique of elitist media bias took center stage in a recent episode of The Sean Spicer Show podcast. MRC President David Bozell and Executive Editor Tim Graham joined host Sean Spicer to discuss two glaring examples of what they call partisan journalism.

First, Graham highlighted the disproportionate scrutiny applied to former President Donald Trump through fact-checking. He pointed out that Trump has received 222 "Pants on Fire" ratings from fact-checkers, while other Democratic figures like Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden (with Biden at just seven) face far fewer severe condemnations. Bozell described this as a "ritual beating," arguing that fact-checkers often nitpick snippets, label statements as "true but missing context," or outright partisan attacks. 

“It is a very partisan racket,” declared Graham. “There's a big reason that a lot of people just don't trust them.”

Bozell shifted focus to coverage—or the lack thereof—of the SAVE America Act, a Trump-backed bill aimed at bolstering election security through measures like proof of citizenship and voter ID requirements. Despite enjoying broad public support—polls show around 80% (or higher in some surveys) favor elements like photo ID and purging non-citizens from voter rolls—the morning and evening network news shows gave it a "big goose egg" in coverage.

“It is the defining issue of the Trump era. Do we have secure elections, or do we not?” Bozell asked.

Bozell noted that Trump recently declared he wouldn't sign other bills until this legislation reaches his desk, a strategic move to pressure networks into addressing an issue central to the Trump era: secure elections. From 2020 onward, media outlets hammered themes of election interference and threats to integrity, yet they ignore a popular solution backed by overwhelming bipartisan support. This blackout extends online, as major platforms follow the networks' lead and reach even more people.

Both guests praised Trump's tactic to force the story into the mainstream ecosystem. If Republicans can overcome media resistance and pass the bill, Graham argued, voters will reward them for prioritizing election security over partisan obstruction.

In an era of declining media trust, these examples underscore how coverage choices shape public discourse—and why many Americans feel the press prioritizes agenda over facts.